Ways of Prayer: Lessons in Holiness & Miracles
2 min read
The most important Catholic Practice in Life is prayer:
Nothing is equal to prayer; for what is impossible it makes possible, what is difficult, easy. . . . For it is impossible, utterly impossible, for the man who prays eagerly and invokes God ceaselessly ever to sin.
-Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraph #2744.
This should tell everyone who critical it is to pray. Do you want to overcome sin? Do you want to be holy? “Prayer…for what is impossible it makes possible.”
Do you want to be a Saint? Pray.
Do you want a miracle? Pray.
Do you want a better job? Pray.
Do you want to get married? Pray.
Do you want to be a priest or religious? Discernment…in prayer.
The First step: Learn How to Pray
- Set a time to pray daily.
- Reduce or eliminate distractions.
- Have a prayer corner or closet.
- Stick to the same prayers at least weekly.
- Pray.
Keep at prayer. If you need to – pray to be able to pray. It sounds ridiculous to some, but this has worked for many. A little prayer like this leads to greater prayer. Baby steps.
Quiet Time
The greatest prayer is not vocal prayer – it is contemplative prayer. God draws your mind to him easily and naturally into prayer.
Simply being willing to pray is the first step. Understanding the necessity of prayer is the second step: “the man who prays eagerly and invokes God ceaselessly ever to sin” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2744).
To not sin you must prayer ceaselessly. This does not mean you cannot think about work, but take brief moments to pray and Commune with the Lord. Simply attempting to take these moments is already prayer.
Prayer Is Willingness
Being willing to pray and spending time attempting to pray is already prayer. Setting aside time, even if you are restless, is praying – no matter how distracted you seem. Refocusing on the Lord time and time again is the most meritorious time spent.
Prayer Is Miracles
Miracles will come over time. It is a natural consequence of continuing to pursue God.
“He works miracles for His dearest friends only after He has tested their faith.”
-St. Therese of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church.
Part of having your faith tested is to persist in prayer.
“He who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22).
Prayer is Mastery Over Your Circumstances
Discernment is not hard. God has one goal: Your Salvation. After that, your Sainthood is his intent. How do you attain these goals? Prayer.
“Pray as if everything depended on God and work as if everything depended on you”
-Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraph 2834 (St. Ignatius of Loyola).
Invocation & Prophetic Prayer
Immaculate Heart of Mary, be Our Salvation and Treasury! Amen.
